CHAPTER 16 AXION IS CURSED
Phoenix can be seen seated on the bed beside Axion who was lying on it, unconscious. Unlike before, he was now in his human form. Phoenix was staring at him with a sad pout, letting out a sad sigh now and then.
A knock came on the door and it opened, revealing Glinda.
” Aunt, you’re here ” Phoenix said as she walked over to her.
” How is he? ” Glinda asked.
” I don’t know. He hasn’t woken up since then ” Phoenix replied with a sigh.
” Will he ever wake up again, aunt? ” She couldn’t help but ask.
” He will for sure, he is not dead. It will take him a few days to gain back all the strength and power he used while he was a beast, so don’t worry ” Glinda assured, and Phoenix nodded sadly.
” No offense, aunt, but I’ve been wanting to ask you something ” Phoenix spoke up after a moment of silence between her and Glinda.
” Sure go ahead ”
” I just can’t stop thinking; what happened to Axion? Why did he suddenly turn into a vicious beast? Has he always been like that? Will he truly wake up? ” Phoenix questioned all at once.
” Take it easy, Phoenix. Am I supposed to answer all those questions? ” Glinda chuckled lightly, sitting down to face her on the bed.
” I’m just curious, aunt ” Phoenix replied. Letting out a deep sad sigh,
” I’m not supposed to tell you this, Phoenix. Axion will be furious at me if he finds out I told you ” She muttered.
” But… I guess it’s important you know about it. Still, yet, I’m not going to tell you everything ” She added. Phoenix was already staring intently at her, waiting for her to start her explanation and clarify her confusion.
” Axion… is cursed ” Glinda headed straight to the point, not wanting to beat about the bush. Phoenix’s eyes only widened.
” What? ” She wanted to yell but it came out faintly.
” He was cursed with magical powers, but the terrifying part is that…
” On every night of the full moon, he was cursed to turn… into a beast. Not just a beast, a vicious and wild beast ” Glinda explained. Phoenix’s lips parted in shock.
” Was this the reason why my Mom told me he needed my help? ” She mumbled, looking down.
” You finally met Ashley, right? ” Glinda asked and that made her look up.
” How did you know? ”
” Because I was the one who summoned her to you. I told her… you needed her help to convince yourself of who you truly are ” Glinda answered, and Phoenix’s lips parted in more shock.
” How were you able to even do that? ” She questioned in awe.
” I’m a sorceress, Phoenix. A good sorceress. You could say I’m capable of anything too, except for the case of Axion ” Glinda smiled at her.
” You know Phoenix… I was kind of surprised about something ”
” I was kind of shocked by the fact that Axion… didn’t kill you and you were even brave enough to hug despite him being a beast. Normally, whenever Axion turns into a beast, I, Kelsey, Tamara, and Lola will do everything we can to make sure we hide from him, we make sure he doesn’t find us…
” But why? ” Phoenix asked.
” Because, whenever he’s in that state… he can’t differentiate who is who. He just doesn’t recognize who his loved ones or family are. To him,… we’re all nothing but preys, ready to be devoured anytime soon. But that isn’t the case with you ”
” I decided to watch what happened during that night between you two through my magic mirror and I was shocked. Axion had many opportunities to kill you, but he still didn’t. I could see through his eyes how badly he wanted to bite your head off, but he was refraining from doing so…
” I could feel he wanted to rip you apart, but whenever he sees your tears roll down, his eyes soften immediately. And do you know why he was trying to stop himself from killing you? ” Phoenix nodded negatively immediately.
” Because he recognized you ” Glinda answered.
” Despite being a beast, he knew who you were. He knew you were his Phoenix and even though he hates you, he knew he shouldn’t hurt you or kill you because he needs you ” She explained even more.
What she said touched Phoenix’s heart and she looked at Axion with softened eyes. Guilt struck her heart just then.
” You know, aunt, before he turned into a beast, in the morning, he caught me inside the prohibited room. He was so furious at me that he locked me up in a dark room. I was also very angry with him because I thought; ” what is inside the so-called prohibited room that he has to throw me inside a dark room and lock me up for no good reason?”. But now, I know why. I now understand why he was furious ” Phoenix expressed.
” I’m not even allowed to enter that room. If it were someone else, he’d have done worse, I’m sure of that. The purpose of that room was to tie himself up with a big chain so he wouldn’t have to break out and hurt someone. Because according to the curse, if he were to kill up to 100 souls… he would turn into a beast… forever ” Glinda replied. What she said made Phoenix’s heart skip in fear.Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
” And how many souls has he killed? ” She couldn’t help but ask.
” I don’t know, but I think it’s just a few numbers before a hundred souls ” Glinda replied. Phoenix bowed her head in sadness.
” While I was inside that dark room, I cussed him with everything in me. After I met my mom and was able to break open the door with my powers,… all I wanted was to show him was the new me. My new powers, I wanted to shove it into his face that I was not scared of him anymore and that I wouldn’t let him intimidate me again, but now…
” All I want is for him to wake up. It’s been two days already, still, he hasn’t even moved a finger. I just can’t help but feel guilty. I’m his Phoenix. I should have stopped him, I should have tamed him… still, I couldn’t do anything. Am I even the one capable of helping him? ” Phoenix asked, trying to fight back her tears.
” When I saw him in his beast form, I was terrified. I wanted to run away for my dear life. But the moment his eyes met mine, I could feel and see the pain inside those eyes. I could feel the anger and disgust he was feeling for himself. Even as he was hurting himself, it felt as though I was the one hurting too. He doesn’t deserve this… I’m supposed to do something, aunt ” She mumbled the last part and broke down in tears.
Glinda pulled her into a hug immediately and she hugged back.
” You’re feeling that way because you’re bonded to him. Both of you are meant to feel and understand each other’s pain. You tried stopping him and even though you got hurt several times, you still didn’t stop. Thank you, Phoenix ” Glinda expressed.
Just then, Axion let out a low groan in the throat, making the two pull out immediately. Phoenix turned to face him fully, her eyes shining in hope and expectation. Axion slowly opened his eyes and happiness ran through the two, especially Phoenix.
She let out a happy scoff before hugging him. Axion was shocked and surprised by the sudden hug.
” You finally woke up. You scared me, Axion ” Phoenix said, pulling out from the hug. Axion frowned deeply at her.
” Why is she acting like we’re friends or close? ” Was the question going on in his mind.
” How are you feeling now? ” Glinda asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. He tried sitting up but Phoenix quickly held his hand.
” You’re still weak, let me help you ” She offered, but Axion pushed her hand off his, glaring at her. Phoenix looked down with a sad pout.
” I’m ok aunt, don’t worry ” Axion replied, trying to sit up, but he was so weak that his hands couldn’t even work properly.
” Let me help you, Axion ” Phoenix offered once again.
” Don’t touch me ” He hissed in anger.
” Ermm… I’ll get going now. Phoenix make sure to give him the tea I brought, ok? ” Glinda said.
” Sure aunt. Should I see you off? ” Phoenix asked.
” No, no. Just stay here and look after him ” Glinda replied.
” I’ll leave now. Take care of yourself, Axion ” She added and left. Immediately after she left, Axion shot Phoenix a glare.
” Get out ” He commanded.
” Huh? ” Phoenix mumbled in confusion.
” I said get out ” Axion snapped.
” But what about you? You just woke up and you’re still weak. Who will take care of you? ” Phoenix asked in worry.
” I don’t need you to take care of me, I’m fine on my own ” Axion hissed.
” You can’t even sit up on the bed. How does it look to you that you can take care of yourself? ” Phoenix scoffed in disbelief.
” Are you trying to insult me? What made you think I can’t take care of myself? I’ve been doing that for a long time now, so get out and stop stressing me out the more! ” Axion snapped.
” But…
” Out! ” Phoenix let out a sad sigh and stood up from the bed.
” Ok. Just call me if you need anything ” She muttered.
” I would rather die in this bed than ask for your help ” Axion spat with so much hatred in his eyes. What he said made Phoenix’s anger reach its pitch.
” What is even wrong with Axion?! Why do you keep pushing those who want to help you away?! ” She flared up.
” I know you hate me, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need me. I’m your Phoenix, so it’s my duty to help you. But how will I be able to do that if you keep behaving like a dick head? ”
Axion let out a scoff.
” You’re my Phoenix doesn’t mean I accept you as one. To me, you’re nothing more than a stripper and I’m sure you’re doing all of this to get something in return…”
” Not everyone is like you, Axion. I’m only fulfilling my duty and I don’t want anything in return. And must you shove in my face every fucking time that I’m a stripper, huh? ”
” I know everything, Axion. I know about your curse and why you turned into a beast and I’m ready to let go of everything you did to me and help you. Can’t you at least appreciate that, for once? ” Phoenix asked, and Axion’s eyes widened.
” Aunt Glinda told you everything, didn’t she? ” He inquired.
” Yes and that’s because she cares about you and wants to help you just like I want to help you too…
” You can’t help me Phoenix! ” Axion snapped…
” No one can. I’m a monster, a beast, and the sooner you understand that the better you start avoiding me because I might do worse to you next time. I might even kill you or maybe rip you apart. So stay… the… fuck… away… from me ” Axion pointed out, glaring at Phoenix.
” Fine then… suit yourself, Axion ” Phoenix hissed, and headed to the door. She opened it but stopped.
” But bear one thing in mind. When I set out to do something… nothing can stop me and nothing you do can stop me from trying to help you. I’ll always be close if you need me ” She said and left.
Axion’s lips parted in great shock.
” How is she still ready to help me despite me hurting her repeatedly?…